Published: February 28, 2009 1:59 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight March 2009 Edition
Daniel Christian
Daniel Christian
Daniel Christian made a difficult decision last year in 2008 to leave a day job he absolutely loved for something that he can not live without; music. In this in-depth interview with the artist, Daniel gives our Webzine the 411 on what he is hoping to achieve with his music.
Isaac: What do you feel was Daniel Christian's biggest accomplishment for 2008?
DC: I used to be a high school English teacher. I spent five years balancing the world of an educator with the world of a performing songwriter, and last year I made the difficult decision to leave the security of a day-job I loved in order to devote more energy and time to the music. So, although there have been rewarding moments and memorable gigs and all of that, I really think 2008's biggest accomplishment was the leap of faith. So far, the cupboards are staying full.
Isaac: Elaborate a little about whom were your biggest influences in the music industry and why?
DC: When I was young, my father played drums in a cover band that played all the popular hits on the radio-country, pop, rock, oldies-so I grew up on everything from Alabama to The Cars. In high school, the influence was still modern radio-90s rock, but I was beginning to pay close attention to artists who valued creative, polished musicianship-Sting comes to mind. I didn't rediscover the Beatles and the Beach Boys until I was in my early twenties, but the 60s have become such an integral influence on what I do. On any given song, I'm searching for ways to include more vocal parts.
Having said all that, I listen to a ton of music that doesn't necessarily influence my own-I wish it did! I get very complimentary comparisons all the time, however-John Lennon, Stephen Stills, James Taylor-and that's pretty flattering company, so I feel like I'm growing in the right direction anyway.
Isaac: Let's talk about what you feel Daniel Christian will bring to the music industry?
DC: I'm not setting out to change the industry or anything, and hopefully it doesn't set out to change me. I just want to exist in it, quietly doing what I do, whatever that happens to be at a given time. If I want to make a hip-hop record, or a polka album, I feel like people who follow my music would say "Sure man, why not."
Ultimately, I want to be the guy who serves the song. Sometimes that means a dense lyric, sometimes that means a fun lyric, and sometimes it means banjo on a pop tune. Hopefully, every song has something in it that people find clever or personal or just interesting.
Isaac: If you had an opportunity to work with one artist or group, who would it be and why?
DC: Buddy Holly would've been outstanding. There are loads of people with whom I'd love to have conversations, but if we're talking about a working relationship… I think I could feel comfortable collaborating with someone like Paul Simon, or Ben Folds, even U2-artists I admire who wouldn't make me nervous to the point of not being myself.
Isaac: How would you describe your music to others?
DC: A friend of mine says it "sounds like cinnamon rolls taste," and I continue to use that. When I'm asked to compare our work to other artists, I mention The Beatles, CSN(Y), and Bruce Hornsby. We tend to reach in different directions, but we probably still fall under the pop/rock umbrella.
Isaac: What is your definition for Rock music?
DC: It's a broad category. Elvis, The Byrds, Elton John, The Clash, Nirvana, Matchbox Twenty, Keith Urban, Metallica, Prince… I call them all rock bands. Maybe the common denominator is this image of people playing their own instruments, because once the artist is singing to pre-recorded digital tracks, it leans toward something else. I don't agree with the sentiment that because rock has changed, it is dead. On the contrary, I think it will continue to evolve because it welcomes diversity, and that's what seems to keep it alive.
Isaac: What type of feedback have you received from your previous releases?
DC: The response is always very positive, which, of course, is very encouraging. People who like the music are often motivated to say so, and if anyone doesn't like it, they don't seem to be very aggressive about writing hate mail.
I always enjoy hearing which songs people identify with and call their favorites. Also, I hope I never become desensitized to the feeling that occurs when strangers know the words.
Isaac: What can fans expect from your latest CD, you are working on currently? What is the inspiration behind the CD?
DC: The new project is a step in a different direction. It's more folk/rock than pop/rock, and there's less shimmer, so it's rougher around the edges. If people like the hidden track at the end of the "Sand" record, they should enjoy the new album. Hopefully, there's still a noticeable poetry to it, but it's more Tom Petty than Beatles; and the harmonies are still present, but it's more Crosby Stills & Nash than Beach Boys. We're just adding more sides to expand our musical polygon.
We're recording in Nebraska this time [the last album was recorded in Nashville, TN] and the album credits will be a lengthier list on this one, so each musician brings a certain influence into the room.
Thematically, the first record played with a lot of water imagery. This album keeps returning to a breathing motif-breathe in anticipation, preparation, contemplation. I hope people find something they like on the CD. I think they will.
Isaac: Where can fans locate you at online?
DC: Our most-updated web-presence is our MySpace profile. The easy link is:
Isaac: What can fans expect from Daniel Christian in 2009?
DC: New music, a lot of shows, and immersion in as many music-related projects as possible.
Isaac: Time for some shout outs to your family, friends, and fans?
DC: My family and friends, collectively, have offered more encouragement than I deserve, and any of my successes are shared with them. Similarly, I learn from everyone with whom I've ever played music: BP, NSD, PCC, AR, the list goes on and on, but ends with the members of DCB, who hear my ideas, and find ways to make them work on stage, even when I give them little notice.
Specific professional thanks are due to:
PCHS
Rob, for his patience and open-mindedness.
Joy, for her motivation.
Charlie & Laurie, for unwavering support.
Robert, for leading me to Joy and Charlie & Laurie.
Tim, for leading me to Robert and Rob.
Isaac: Final words from Daniel Christian…
DC: If you imagine a time when you were overwhelmed by someone's kindness toward you, that's what I get to feel every day. I get that feeling during the applause after every song, and when someone writes their name on our mailing list sign-up sheet, and when someone takes the time to shake hands after a performance, and when someone asks if we have a CD available for sale so they can take the music home with them… Those moments mean a lot to me. I'm humbled by them, and I'm humbled whenever someone wants to ask me a few questions about the music-thank you very much, I've enjoyed it!
